The Saddle Creek Apple Store finally struck out with me. Why is it that when I want to make a large purchase in this store, I get ignored or I only get help from people of color? Ooh, maybe I’m invisible. Perhaps I look like I don’t want to spend money. Excuses all.

I’m not about to beg you to take my money & I won’t be shopping there again any time soon.

I’m OK with the fact that I decided to take four personal days, a floating holiday & nine vacation days all in one month, especially if it means I get to travel and write for long periods of time. That said, Ohio & New Orleans, I’m coming for you. ATL, you’re next. I have a whole bunch of people to see, babies to hug & new houses to visit before the year is through.

Next month, I’m jumping into National Novel Writing Month. It’s going to be like running a marathon without working my way up to it. I’m scared, but dumb excited at the same time. Plus, I’m pretty sure my writing will suck and I’m OK with that. I’m even going to take the City of New Orleans and go visit my people, and I plan to write the whole way. It’s going to be marvelous!

These guys attended Memphis Urban League Young Professionals’ annual Spooktacular Costume Party. The pair are dressed up as Prince Akeem of Zamunda in his McDowell’s uniform (check the pompom on his hat) and Darryl Jenks, Prince of Soul Glo, in his buppie douche uniform (complete with two tickets for the Jets game and a strawberry milkshake).

This is why I *heart* Halloween. It brings out the best in people.

Me with the Spooktacular poster I designed.

Who was I? An ’80s aerobics instructor. I had fun putting on all that blue eyeshadow. Then I had a hell of a time taking it off!

OK, so there are only six days left in October, the most glorious month of the year, but you still have time to adopt a shelter pet. The little one in the picture above followed me home one day, so I guess he adopted us. Nonetheless, there are hundreds of dogs and cats available for adoption in your local shelter, so do a fur baby a solid, and bring one home today!

There are more than 1,000,001 reasons to adopt an animal, but for time’s sake I’ll only give you a few: